act

Act

Something done; usually, something done intentionally or voluntarily or with a purpose.

The term encompasses not only physical acts—such as turning on the water or purchasing a gun—but also refers to more intangible acts such as adopting a decree, edict, law, judgment, award, or determination. An act may be a private act, done by an individual managing his or her personal affairs, or it may be a public act, done by an official, a council, or a court. When a bill is favorably acted upon in the process of legislation, it becomes an act.

act

1) n. in general, any action by a person. 2) n. a statutory plan passed by Congress or any legislature which is a "bill" until enacted and becomes law. 3) v. for a court to make a decision and rule on a motion or petition, as in "the court will act on your motion for a new trial."

act

1 the formally codified result ofdeliberation by a legislative body; a law, edict, decree, statute, etc. See ACT OF PARLIAMENT.

2 a formal written record of transactions, proceedings, etc., as of a society, committee or legislative body.

3 in Scottish practice an indication of the lawyer who represents the pursuer.

ACT, civil law, contracts. A writing which states in a legal form that a
thing has been said, done, or agreed. In Latin, Instrumentum. Merl. Rep.

ACT. In the legal sense, this word may be used to signify the result of a
public deliberation, the decision of a prince, of a legislative body, of a
council, court of justice, or a magistrate. Also, a decree, edict, law,
judgment, resolve, award, determination. Also, an instrument in writing to
verify facts, as act of assembly, act of congress, act of parliament, act
and deed. See Webster's Dict. Acts are civil or criminal, lawful or
unlawful, public or private.
2. Public acts, usually denominated authentic, are those which have a
public authority, and which have been made before public officers, are
authorized by a public seal, have been made public by the authority of a
magistrate, or which have been extracted and been properly authenticated
from public records.
3. Acts under private signature are those which have been made by
private individuals, under their hands. An act of this kind does not acquire
the force of an authentic act, by being registered in the office of a
notary. 5 N. S. 693; 8 N. S. 568 ; 3 L. R. 419 ; 8 N. S. 396 ; 11 M. R. 243;
unless it has been properly acknowledged before the officer, by the parties
to it. 5 N. S. 196.
4. Private acts are those made by private persons, as registers in
relation to their receipts and expenditures, schedules, acquittances, and
the like. Nov. 73, c. 2 ; Code, lib. 7, tit. 32, 1. 6; lib. 4, t. 21; Dig.
lib. 22, tit.. 4; Civ. Code of Louis. art. 2231 to 2254; Toull. Dr. Civ.
Francais, tom. 8, p. 94.

ACT, evidence. The act of one of several conspirators, performed in
pursuance of the common design, is evidence against all of them. An overt
act of treason must be proved by two witnesses. See Overt.
2. The terra. acts, includes written correspondence, and other papers
relative to the design of the parties, but whether it includes unpublished
writings upon abstract questions, though of a kindred nature, has been
doubted, Foster's Rep. 198 ; 2 Stark. R. 116, 141.
3. In cases of partnership it is a rule that the act or declaration of
either partner, in furtherance of the common object of the association, is
the act of all. 1 Pet. R. 371 5 B. & Ald. 267.
4. And the acts. of an agent, in pursuance of his authority, will be
binding on his principal. Greenl. Ev. Sec. 113.

ACT, legislation. A statute or law made by a legislative body; as an act of
congress is a law by the congress of the United States; an act of assembly
is a law made by a legislative assembly. If an act of assembly expire or be
repealed while a proceeding under it is in fieri or pending, the proceeding
becomes abortive; as a prosecution for an offence, 7 Wheat. 552; or a
proceeding under insolvent laws. 1 Bl. R. 451; Burr. 1456 ; 6 Cranch, 208 ;
9 Serg. & Rawle, 283.
2. Acts are general or special; public or private. A general or public
act is a universal rule which binds the whole community; of which the courts
are bound to take notice ex officio.
3. Explanatory acts should not be enlarged by equity Blood's case,
Comb. 410; although such acts may be allowed to have a retrospective
operation. Dupin, Notions de Droit, 145. 9.
4. Private or special acts are rather exceptions, than rules; being
those which operate only upon particular persons and private concerns; of
these the courts are not bound to take notice, unless they are pleaded. Com.
85, 6; 1 Bouv. Inst. n. 105.

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